COMPARATIVE PHARMACOKINETICS OF AMPICILLIN-TRIHYDRATE, GENTAMICIN SULFATE AND OXYTETRACYCLINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN NUBIAN GOATS AND DESERT SHEEP

In this investigation the pharmacokinetics of three commonly used anti biotics, ampicillin trihydrate (10 mg/kg), gentamicin sulphate (3 mg/k g) and oxytetracycline hydrochloride (5 mg/kg), given int-ravenously, were each studied in five Nubian goats and five desert sheep, The phar macokinetic parameters were described by a two-compartment open model, The results indicated that there were significant differences between the two species in some kinetic parameters of ampicillin and oxytetra cycline but not gentamicin, Ampicillin elimination half life (t(1/2 be ta)) in goats (1.20 h) was shorter than that in sheep (2.48 h), and it s clearance (CI) significantly higher in goats (2921 mL/ h.kg) compare d to sheep (262 mL/h.kg) (P < 0.01). Ampicillin volume of distribution (Vd(area)) was found to be significantly larger in goats (5673 mL/kg) than in sheep (992 mL/kg) (P < 0.01), For oxytetracycline, the t(1/2 beta) in goats (3.89 h) was significantly shorter than that in sheep ( 6.30 h) and the CI value in goats (437 mL/h.kg) was significantly high er than in sheep (281 ml/h.kg). The results suggest that when treating sheep and goats, the pharmacokinetic differences between the two spec ies must be considered in order to optimize the therapeutic doses of a mpicillin and oxytetracycline.